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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KSitoodDq96UV7rwNKlQG1sEUhRFR5D8ylXi8xpSPfkmDsGDkHai4jSDI+0baXDy
 H2enDqSicjdSuftGR/IVqQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000897101-04-001391.txt : 20040722
<SEC-HEADER>0000897101-04-001391.hdr.sgml : 20040722
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040722142151
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000897101-04-001391
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040722

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCBURNEY THOMAS R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242959

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24908
		FILM NUMBER:		04926198

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1101 THIRD ST SOUTH
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55415
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6123757845

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRANSPORT CORPORATION OF AMERICA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000809246
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				411386925
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1715 YANKEE DOODLE ROAD
		CITY:			EAGAN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		651-686-2500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1715 YANKEE DOODLE RD
		CITY:			EAGAN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55121
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>tcam043510mcburney_3ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000809246</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRANSPORT CORPORATION OF AMERICA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TCAM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242959</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCBURNEY THOMAS R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1715 YANKEE DOODLE RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EAGAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55121</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas R. McBurney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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